Abstract
This study considers the reconstruction of the traditional Kiso lacquerware industrial region, the former Narakawa-mura, Nagano prefecture, Japan, paying special attention to the transformation of production structure with reference to imported low-priced lacquerware made in China since the 1980s. Data collection methods consisted of a quantitative questionnaire survey of lacquerware firms and a qualitative in-depth interview with a specific firm. The results of the survey and interview indicate that the craftsmen do not necessarily have negative evaluations of products imported from China. Their attitudes differ according to the contents of their tasks and the positioning of their work by Chinese lacquerware rates. Craftsmen who utilize Chinese products as part of the production process consider a supply of low-priced lacquerware beneficial; those who do not utilize Chinese products focus on rediscovering “tradition” in the originality of handmade products. The reconstruction of “tradition” is not a unified process, but always varies in relationship to Chinese products. The evaluation of Chinese products does not result from problems with the quality of lacquerware, which shows the diversity of positioning of lacquerware craftsmen. Furthermore, the author clarified that transnational connections between specific individuals could play an important role in regional development in this lacquerware region, with special attention to personal biographies from an historic-geographic viewpoint.
